Plate 7: two horses ascending the bank of a river at right, following a procession of horses and one horseman to the left, from 'Diversi capricci' 1639 - 1649

Stefano della Bella etched this plate, part of 'Diversi capricci', capturing a scene dominated by horses ascending a riverbank. The horse, beyond its practical uses, has long been a symbol of power and nobility. Consider the rearing horse, a motif that gallops through centuries, appearing in triumphal arches and battle scenes from ancient Rome to Renaissance paintings. This dynamic pose speaks to an untamed, vital energy. It is a visual metaphor, charged with psychological weight, representing man's control over instinct. Note how the artist subtly invokes our collective memory, tapping into an archetypal image deeply embedded in our consciousness. This portrayal is a powerful force, engaging us on a subconscious level, stirring primal emotions of awe and perhaps even a touch of fear. The image resurfaces, transformed, yet still echoing the same fundamental themes of power, freedom, and the eternal dance between control and instinct.